Erdogan met with Nechirvan Barzani, prime minister of Iraq’s Kurdish Regional government, the Turkish capital, Ankara. Erdogan said he and his counterpart clearly stated their energy cooperation to both the U.S. and to the government in Baghdad.

Bilateral relations and regional issues were also discussed during the meeting, according to the Turkish Prime Ministry.

Instability in Iraq in recent years and the increase in terrorist attacks were also part of the meeting’s agenda with Erdogan expressing concern on this issue, stressing the importance of security and stability in Turkey’s neighboring countries.